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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

After disappering for a while, I am back with a nice recipe. These days I am cooking from this lovely book "Cooking at home with Pedatha". Pedatha has very simple and authentic recipes from Andhra.This recipe is called Mustard flavoured vegetable (ava pettina koora (Telugu)).

Boil the diced bananas in water along with turmeric powder till tender. Strain and set aside.For the paste, Soak the mustard and rice in a little water. Grind into a fine paste and set aside.

In a wok, heat the oil for tempering. Add the gram; as it turns golden, add the mustard. Lower the flame and add the green chillies, curry leaves and asafoetida.Add the boiled banana, paste and salt. Mix welland continueto cook for 3-4 minutes. Switch off the flame.

Serve with rice of rotis.

This picture is from the Pedatha book.

Pedatha says raw banana can be substituted with cabbage or sweet pumpkin.

We celebrated Jai's 5th birthday on 21st march with this lovely Madagascar theme cake!

I have always had great passion for Traditional Indian cookware like Copperware, brassware, soapstone pots and earthenwares.

Picture courtesy:copper-accessories.com

Here is an article written for Neivedyam by cookware.com on Indian cookware.

From Tandoor to Tabletop: Traditional Indian Cookware for a Healthy Lifestyle

The usage of traditional cookware materials has been integral in the centuries-long development in Indian and South Asian cuisine. In particular, cookware sets made of earthenware and brass have shown to be just as important as the ingredients themselves in many dishes because the materials enhance the complex flavors of the dishes being cooked. This is why traditional cooking still remains a part of life all over India, from the tandoor ovens of Punjab to the terra cotta pots in Manipur and Nagaland. But in addition to providing flavor these materials can also benefit your health as well. In this article, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of cookware today that is made of traditional materials.

Earthenware and Ceramics

Ceramics have been used for cooking in India for over five thousand years, and the materials can vary a lot from region to region depending on the availability of materials. As mentioned above, one of the best things about ceramic and terra cotta cookware is that it brings out the flavor in many dishes, especially stews and other dishes that are simmered. Any type of earthenware is ideal for low-temperature cooking. And since the materials are not reactive, you don’t have to worry about toxins leaching their way into your food, making for dishes that are better tasting and healthier.

Ceramic and clay dishes are also easy to clean and are relatively inexpensive. However, they can be easy to break or chip and overall are not as durable as other types of cookware.

Copper and Brassware

Copper and brass has often been featured among the cookware and utensils of the wealthier households, particularly in Tamil Nadu. The reason why is simple, although these are some of the most expensive cooking materials, they are also the best. Copper and brass are nontoxic, conduct heat very well, and are stylish looking, making them very popular among professional chefs.

In addition their cost, both of these materials and copper in particular, are prone to scratching and may need to be polished often in order to maintain its appearance. But overall, copper and bronze provide best superior heat conductibility while remaining free of harmful toxins.

Aluminum and stainless steel have become popular in contemporary Indian cooking, as they are both affordable and durable. But sometimes it’s worth going to the basics. Aluminum unfortunately has the tendency to discolor and leach into food, as does nearly all types of nonstick materials. This is both bad for the flavor of the food and bad for your health. But if you stick to what worked best for centuries of Indian cooks, you’ll find yourself eating healthier and better tasting food at the same time.

Hey Sharmi,I made this along with methi dal for dinner today. I followed your recipe for the most part....just didn't add the coriander leaves(not too crazy about it)and did not soak the mustard seeds and rice. But it was good even with all the minor changes. Thanks for the recipe... a nice change from the plantain thoran that I make usually.

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